"Do whatever He Tells you" : Our ICON Experience

We just had another one of those life-changing experiences as members of the Singles for Christ Community. This is something we'll surely remember for the rest of our lives. We're happy and thankful to say "I was there to witness!"

Our chapter took part on the recent 20th SFC international Conference (ICON). We were part of some 8000 disciples all over the world experiencing Christ gathered to celebrate our praise and worship for Him. The event took place at the World Trade Center, Pasay City on the weekend after Valentines, 15th-17th of February. Here are some notes on our date with God.
===

Day 1, 15th Feb

Friday evening marks the start of the biggest ICON in Metro Manila. Our chapter prepared for this as early as 2pm, considering the travel time and assembly of all members. We arrived at the venue by around 6pm, just in time to catch the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. With thousands of delegates around, one will really feel the closeness of God to all of us. We are all there to Obey and Witness. As a first timer, I am really thankful for the heartfelt acceptance and fellowship I experienced even just on the first day of the conference. There's more to come, and I can't wait to share the lessons I will learn from them.

After the mass comes the Opening Ceremonies: a praisefest with some words to reflect on in between the praise and worship songs. It is just so contagious a feeling to see all those hands clapping and raising their hands to praise and worship the Lord our God. With closed eyes, tears, shouts and silent prayers all around, this really is the happiest place to be in.

The theme of this year's ICON is "Obey and Witness". So the first session started shortly after the opening ceremonies. Before we can witness, there should be an INVITATION : the topic of the first session. Bro. Jeremy was the talk giver, and he started with a mention of the 6 W's to summarize this entire ICON :

Wedding - Wedding at Cana, the first miracle performed by the Lord Jesus Christ
Water and Wine - The objects of miracle
Woman - Mama Mary, the source of the lines which served as the theme
Word became flesh - Jesus Christ, our Saviour
Worker - the followers, the Witnesses on how the water was turned into wine

We are all present in this celebration because we were first invited. We became members of SFC because we were first invited.

"Everyone's invited to join in a joyful celebration and be with Him."

"Heaven is our Ultimate Destination. Let us seek for an Eternal Union with God."

We should be in union with God for we are One Body and Many Parts. "For as in one body we have many parts, and all the parts do not have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ and individually parts on one another (Romans 12:4-5)" This union was also mentioned back in the book of Genesis, the story of Creation of Man whom God created in his image and likeness, the same way on the union of Jesus and the Church.

Our response to the invitation is clear: YES, I DO!

I am one of those who want to thank SFC for bringing God to my life.

This caps off Day 1 of the ICON. We took a quick rest and prepared for Day 2.

===

Day 2, 16th February

Our destination for today is the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila, wherein the daytime activities/workshop of the ICON was scheduled. We had a couple of opening worship songs to start the day it was followed by the first workshop conducted by Bishop Teodoro Bacani. The title of the workshop is OBEY. On the duration of the workshop, hand-outs containing the Nicene Creed were distributed to the delegates. Bishop Bacani started with the definition of creed as a symbol and a profession of faith. He stated three ways on how why we obey. First: through our senses; second, through reasoning; and third yet most important, through believing.

"Your word is greater than our senses."
"Your word is greater than our reasoning."
To obey is to have faith in our heads, hearts and hands. Faith, Trust, and Obedience

Bishop Bacani also stated that Philippines is one of the most religious countries in the world. Unfortunately, this also is one of the places with widespread corruption. Why the irony? According to him, the reason behind this is our religion was displayed through celebrations, instead of fulfilment.

We then had our activity: the Nicene Creed was divided into seven parts, and we are to write ways on how we will live each part on the papers given to us.

The first part is about the belief in the God Almighty. Nothing is impossible with God. Not even the scientific theories of how the world was created can explain everything.

The second part revolves on Jesus Christ, and how He came on earth. He is the "Word that became flesh, and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father's only son, full of grace and truth "(Jn 1:14).

The third part also discusses on how through the Holy Spirit, he became man. This happened with the Virgin Mary's acceptance to the invitation, and the Word became flesh.

The fourth part tells about the sacrifice Jesus made for our salvation: how He died and was raised again. Jesus has risen and He is still with us.

The fifth part is on the Holy Spirit. It makes us alive.

The sixth speaks of the Holy Catholic and apostolic church. We are the Church, and Christ is our head.

The last part of the creed: the forgiveness of our sins and the promise of resurrection and the world to come. "God is greater than our hearts. "

We had our lunch and a fun activity before the second workshop. This time, Mr. Edwin Lopez was the presenter. It was one of the liveliest workshops for Sir Edwin had his great share of icebreakers from time to time. His talk is entitled "WITNESS", the other half of the theme. He started by telling his love story.

"Even tragedy is grace."

"Panindigan mo ang buhay; Paninindigan ka ng Diyos."

These words struck me. I suddenly had to look back. I closed my eyes, and said a short prayer.

He proceeded with the elements of being a witness. Eight items used in a short narrative:
Rock, Key, Sheep, Alarm Clock, Dove, Buffet Table, Pillar, and Cross.
Rock - Peter, the First Pope
Key - Golden Key to Heaven ( Mt 16:19)
Sheep - How we should follow Him (Jn 21:5-17)
Alarm Clock - He will be with us always (Mt 28:20)
Dove - The Holy Spirit (Jn 14:16)
Buffet Table - the Disciples (Mt 28:18-20)
Pillar - The Foundation of Truth (1 Tim 3:15)
Cross - The sacrifice, how we should carry our cross (Lk 14:27)

Sir Edwin also talked about kindness. It should consist of an Act, Motive and Circumstance. All things should be positive, because if not, everything will be wrong.
Some points on Love:

"Love without pain is sentimentality."
Before we love, we should be ready to get hurt. Love even if it hurts.
"He who cannot sacrifice cannot love."
"Perfect love demands perfect sacrifice."
"The language of the Cross is the language of Love."
All these, Jesus Christ have willingly done for our salvation.
"Suffering is a positive element in life."
"Where the cross is, Christ is."
To be witnesses, we must deny ourselves, carry our cross, and follow Him (Lk 9:23)
Love is not just a feeling. We are not the chemicals in our bodies. We should not love or be an "Angus Cow", someone that is so soft and incapable of loving.

Here's to the workshops. We're back at the World Trade Center for two more sessions and the celebration of the Eucharist.
Bro. Rob Escano is the main speaker for Session Two: EMPTY. "We were not born empty" is the starting line of his talk. On the latter part of the session the following were provided:

Emptiness is not a punishment.
Emptiness is a longing for love.
Emptiness is a longing for God.
Emptiness is an opportunity to choose again.
To break out emptiness, the key is LOVE.
L - Longing for God consciously and consistently.
O - Obedience
V - Virtue of humility
E - Enlighten our hearts and minds

Three sharers from other SFC Chapters were also called to tell us their stories.

First is Sis Nat from Australia. Her sharing is all about the abundance of material things, yet she's missing something. Material things, riches, success and others are not bad. They are just not good enough. God completed the emptiness she felt back then.

Second is Bro. Brian from Cebu. His is a story of Service challenged with lust. He has been inactive in SFC for two years and experienced hindrances brought about by the worldly desires. Through prayers, he was able to defeat the temptation and returned to active service in the community.

Third is Sis Rhina of SFC Meralco. Her story was of a dark past but was cleared with the acceptance of her fellow SFC members.

God invited is with LOVE. Our response should be I LOVE YOU TOO.

Session Three immediately followed. This time, it is all about TRANSFORMATION. Bro. Melo is the presenter for this one. Again, the story of the Wedding at Cana was referenced. This is how Jesus transformed the water into wine. Mary told the workers to "Do whatever He tells you", and they filled the jars with water to the brim as instructed by Jesus. To transform our lives, we must accept Jesus and obey Him. He alone can fill our jars. The people around us help in this transformation.

Another batch of sharers was called. First was Bro. Joejerry, and his tale was probably one that could be told to the next generations. It was a story of total transformation, from a life filled with worries, darkness, and dangers to a life centered around God. Not too far from the same scenario was Bro. Ronnie's experience. Both of them have horrible pasts but overcame it and looked onward to a bright present and future by turning to Jesus Christ. It is about accepting Him and surrendering themselves to Him.

The crowd was silent and in a prayerful mood while listening to their stories. Everyone has to reflect, and ask ourselves the same questions they have experienced. We came up with the same answer. The answer is Him.

Wrapping up Day 2 was the celebration of the Holy Eucharist with His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle. It was my first time to hear a mass celebrated by our Cardinal, and it is such a joy to listen to his homily. It was also one of the most insightful celebrations I have attended. He shared a reflection on the Wedding of Cana, his past experience other words of wisdom to the delegates.

Thank you Lord God for all the blessings!

===

Day 3, 17th February

Another celebration of the Holy Eucharist started the final day of ICON. Breakfast and the opening worship followed to fire up our spirits for the last session. Bro. Shok Arriola was the facilitator of the final session : WITNESS.

Again, three things are required to be a Witness of God:

Invitation
Response
Effect

How did God invited you? What is your response? What is the effect of that response?

Bro. Rod had shared his story of being a witness. He was once challenged: in his family, service and lovelife. He fought back by being a witness, by saying YES to the invitation.

"Every YES is challenging, but the Lord will bless us a 100 times more."

The next sharer is Sis. Jen. She is a kasambahay who voluntarily joined the community. Her story proved that statuses does not matter in the SFC community. We are all equal in the eyes of God.

The third is Sis. Ivy. Her family lost her Dad and brother through different circumstances. Despite these, she is still fighting the good fight with the Lord.

Sis Candy is the last sharer for this ICON. She was once an accident victim. She experienced the misfortune while carrying out her service to the community. Not even that accident can prevent her from fulfilling her commitment to the community.

To end the session, Bro. Shok asked us to be a witness and to respond by saying : I AM!

Are you a WITNESS?

I AM!

I - In union with God.
A - Agent of Change
M - Make Mary's Choice.


We had another blast of praise and worship songs to conclude the ICON. Singing to our hearts content, raising our hands, asking for the Holy Spirit to come to us, praying in the silence of our hearts: This is Life with God.

===

I wish to thank my fellow brothers and sisters from the SFC Napico 2 Chapter for this wonderful experience. It wouldn't have been such an experience if not for your company. Together, let us heed Mama Mary's call to "Do whatever He tells you."

For all these, May God be Praised.

See you on the next ICON at CDO. :)

Enero, Pebrero... Lubi - Lubi

February na pala. Ambilis lumipas ng unang buwan ng taon. Isa na namang pagbabalik tanaw ang aking naiisip sa tuwing darating ang buwan na ito. Dahil sentimental akong tao (half senti, half mental :P), hayaan nyong lumingon ako sa nakaraan.

Now Playing: Handog (Sarah G. Version)

Parang kailan lang ang mga pangarap ko'y kay hirap abutin...

February 2, 2009. Apat na taon na din pala ang nakalipas mula nang magsimula akong magtrabaho sa Kamaynilaan. Apat na taon na din pala akong nagsasarili, nagpupumilit tumayo sa sariling paa at nabubuhay na halos mag-isa. Andami na din palang nangyari. Nagsimula ako bilang isang promding napadpad sa Paranaque. Doon ko naranasan ang kumain ng dalawang beses lang sa isang araw. Palaging half pa yung serving ng gulay (oo, gulay, sapagkat kinailangan kong magtipid bago matikman ang unang sweldo), makisama sa mga roommate ko sa maliit na kwarto, maglaba ng sariling mga damit, at syempre, malayo sa pamilya nang matagal. Desisyon ko naman na dito maghanap ng ikabubuhay. Sabi ko nga, mas madami kasing opportunity sa kabihasnan. Mas madali akong kikita kumpara sa probinsya. Bagaman hindi na din naman masyadong nalalayo ang minimum wage sa amin dito sa Maynila, pinili ko pa din dito sapagkat mas mapapatibay ko pa ang sarili ko sa mga susunod na hamon ng buhay na mag-isa kong haharapin. Isa lamang ako sa milyong taga probinsyang lumuluwas dito para maghanapbuhay. Mas maliwanag kasi dito. Pero mas maingay, mas magulo, mas madaming tao. Sabayan na lang ika nga. Naiimagine ko pa noon ang sarili ko na parang isa sa mga tauhan ng "Mabangis na Lungsod". Sana naman hindi ganoon ang mangyari sakin pagtuntong ko sa maliwanag at maingay na lungsod.

Ilang beses din akong lumipat ng tirahan habang nagtatrabaho sa Paranaque. Mula sa 9th St., napadpad sa Marikina, at bumalik sa Paranaque malapit sa kumpanya, lumipat sa kapitbahay kung saan nabiktima ng Bagyong Ondoy ang aking sapatos at kalahati ng kwarto, hanggang mapadpad sa 5th St., ang huling silid ko doon. Mahigit dalawang taon din akong nagpalaboy laboy sa Paranaque. Nasanay na akong tumayo sa sariling paa. Ilang unos na din ang hinarap ko nang mag-isa. Hanggang sa dumating ang isang bagong oportunidad upang maging masaya at umunlad.


Pebrero 2010. Sumubok akong muling dugtungan ang naudlot kong pangarap. Nagtake ng entrance exam sa isang kilalang paaralan sa Maynila. Nalito, nagulumihanan, naglakas-loob, para lamang makahakbang ng kahit isang baitang patungo sa abogasya. Naging matagumpay naman ang unang hakbang ko, salamat sa mga kaibigang nagpahiram ng memory aides at sa memo plus na nagpatalas umano muli ng aking alaala. Di kalaunan, naging mabato ang tinahak kong landas. Siguro naging malabo lang ang aking paningin, at hindi na kinaya ng reading glasses ko ang ulop na nakapaligid sakin. Hanggang sa tumigil ang mga hakbang. Ikinahong muli ang mga babasahin at sulatin, at nangako sa sariling maglalakad na lang muli kapag kumpleto na ako sa kagamitan --- at lakas ng loob.


Pebrero 2011. Dalawang taon na ang nakalipas. Di ko napansin, angbilis talaga ng buhay. Saktong dalawang taon na mula nang una kong makita ang unang naging kahati sa ligaya, lungkot, lambing at luha. Mahigit isang taon ko din syang nakasama. Umabot naman kami sa Pebrero 2012 kung saan naranasan ko pa din ang tamis ng lumalamlam nang pag-ibig. Naging masaya ako bagaman nagwakas na ang yugtong iyon ng aking buhay. At ngayong Pebrero 2013, ngingitian ko na lang ang isang magandang alaala, walang pait o hinanakit, at aasang muling makakahanap ng panibagong magbibigay-buhay sakin.


Pebrero 2011 din ng magbukas ang isang pintuan sakin. Kasalukuyan pa din akong nasa loob ng tahanang sa kabila ng pintuang iyon. Halos dalawang taon na din ako dito. Nagpapasalamat ako kay Lord God sapagkat patuloy ang mga pagpapalang ipinagkakaloob niya sa akin sa tahanang ito, bagaman hindi ako karapat-dapat. Para sa lahat ng biyaya, salamat, Panginoon, Salamat.


Pebrero 2013. Nalalapit na ang isa sa mga kaganapang inaabangan ko. Ang lahat ng karanasan ko sa nagdaang apat na taon : tagumpay, kabiguan, pag-ibig, pagkasawi, pagbangong muli, panunumbalik- ngayo'y aking ipagdiriwang kasama ang bagong pamilyang nagpapasaya sa akin ngayon.


Sa uulitin. Hanggang sa susunod na Pebrero na maitatala ko.

A Celebration of Love: Jeff and Mimi

January 12, 2013 - This marks the start of a lifetime celebration of love; the day they've been waiting for since the first moment they found each other and felt a mutual connection. It has finally arrived - the best day of their lives since falling in love: the formal exchange of vows, and the promise of a lifetime commitment. 

They were highschool classmates. They haven't had a chat back in those years though. Their story had to wait a couple of years later, when they had another chance to fully know each other, and eventually seeing a spark in every conversation they had. 

Like every valiant warrior, he declared his love for her, fought through all the adversities, and emerged triumphant in the end. From this day onwards, he will be her stronghold and lifetime partner. 

She had found the person she's been dreaming of: "someone whom she can wholeheartedly accept; introduce to her family and peers, walk side by side not being ashamed of; whose laughter would be the music that plays in all their conversations; who will bathe in sunlight and heat in the rain with her; who can make her laugh without trying real hard; who even with her imperfections would love her; who wouldn't get tired of her; who can make her appreciate life; who will journey with her in understanding the enigma of this universe; and above anything else, someone who's just for her." All this, she found in him. 

Parted by seas, they had to endure not seeing one another for some time. Nothing can beat a love so strong; distance and time zones doesn't matter for them, for what they have is a God-given gift of love. 

This is just the start of another chapter in your story. Stay in love with each other. You both have great support groups in your families, friends and loved ones. And more than anything else, put God in the center of your relationship. 

Never give up on your love, even if the skies get rough. 
Put your arms around each other and you're home. 
Grow old in each other's company 
Where the skies are blue, you'll see each other again. 
Thank God you found each other. 

Congratulations and Best Wishes, Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson Belo!